- to take the place of; supersede
- to substitute a person or thing for (another which has ceased to fulfil its function); put in place of: to replace an old pair of shoes
- to put back or return; restore to its rightful place
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•place /rɪˈpleɪs/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -placed, -plac•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to take on the function or duties of;
substitute for;
take the place of:Computers have replaced typewriters in most offices. - to provide a substitute or equivalent for:to replace a broken dish.
- to restore to or put back in the proper place:He replaced the book on the shelf.
re•place
(ri plās′),USA pronunciation v.t., -placed, -plac•ing.
re•place′a•ble, adj.
re•place′a•bil′i•ty, n.
re•plac′er, n.
- to assume the former role, position, or function of;
substitute for (a person or thing):Electricity has replaced gas in lighting. - to provide a substitute or equivalent in the place of:to replace a broken dish.
- to restore;
return;
make good:to replace a sum of money borrowed. - to restore to a former or the proper place:to replace the vase on the table.
- re- + place 1585–95
re•place′a•bil′i•ty, n.
re•plac′er, n.
- 1. succeed. Replace, supersede, supplant refer to putting one thing or person in place of another. To replace is to take the place of, to succeed:Ms. Jones will replace Mr. Smith as president.Supersede implies that that which is replacing another is an improvement:The typewriter has superseded the pen.Supplant implies that that which takes the other's place has ousted the former holder and usurped the position or function, esp. by art or fraud:to supplant a former favorite. 3. refund, repay.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
replace /rɪˈpleɪs/ vb (transitive)